The Inside Line: Wycombe Wanderers (08/10/2013)

For the last Inside Line before England’s World Cup fate is decided, Lewis Hancock speaks to Andy Carswell – Wycombe Wanderers reporter for Bucks Free Press.

After the excitement and pandemonium caused by the first round Johnstone’s Paint Trophy win against the Gas, City travel to Adams Park in the second round to take on Wycombe Wanderers, in what is likely to be a more tame and lower-profile affair.

The last time the two sides met in the competition was back in 2002, an occasion where City ran out 3-0 winners at Ashton Gate and went on to lift what was then the LDV Vans Trophy at the Millennium Stadium.

As Wycombe is now a fan-owned club (as of June 2012), is there a happier and more relaxed feel around the club than there has been in recent years?

There's certainly more of a sense of pride amongst Wycombe fans now that the Supporters' Trust is in control. The board are now a lot more prudent and while there's perhaps a slight sense of frustration the club won't push the boat out with regards to signings, I think fans are sensible enough to realise Wycombe need to steady the ship right now.

The club was in danger of going into administration just before the Trust takeover but those days look to be behind the club.

In last season’s competition, Wycombe were given the southern section’s Team of the Round award after notching a 3-1 away win over Portsmouth in the second round. Is there an air of optimism that Gareth Ainsworth’s side can produce a similar outcome against City?

Ainsworth is on record as saying he wants a good run in the JPT this year. He played a strong side against Exeter in round one and they won more convincingly than the final 2-0 scoreline would suggest.

Last season Portsmouth were the biggest side Wycombe could have drawn in round two, and Ainsworth has said City are the biggest club left in the south west section. He'll see this as a good test for his players and he'll be going for a win on Tuesday night.

The Chairboys have started the season well (currently 10^th in League Two after nine games); how has Ainsworth set up his team thus far?

The team matches Ainsworth's own style as a player - 100 per cent commitment, flying into tackles and pressing all over the pitch. Strangely, it's brought better results away from home than it has done at Adams Park - prior to last week's defeat at Rochdale, Wycombe had won three on the bounce away.

Who should City fans watch out for on Tuesday?

Goalkeeper Matt Ingram. This is his first season as first choice stopper, having been on loan at Oxford City last year, but despite only being 19 years old the local lad looks an excellent prospect. He reads the game superbly, has great reflexes and has been tipped to go all the way to the top.

Finally, can I have a prediction for the match?

I fancy this to go all the way to penalties - Wycombe's first choice strike partnership Dean Morgan and Steven Craig are unlikely to feature so goals may be harder to come by. I think it'll finish 1-1.

Thanks to Lewis and Andy, let’s hope we get to see plenty of goalkeeper Ingram and can progress to the later stages of a competition we’ve had a fair amount of success in over the years.

COYR!

The Exiled Robin

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